The Power In The Pivot

How agreeable are you to “pivoting?”

Perhaps you are one of those “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” folks, but if you are like me, you’re a planner. You develop a plan, implement a schedule, and execute your tasks like a boss according to that formulated plan. Not gonna lie—most often—I have an agenda. And when surprise curveballs interrupt my iron-clad focus, forcing me to make unforeseen adjustments, I’m thrown into a bit of a tizzy. (That’s a real word, right?)

Sigh.

Can you relate?

Pivoting is hard for us planners. But, I’m learning, there’s power in the pivot.

Recently, I needed to make adjustments to a well-planned program of a book study I was leading. Specific chapter discussions of the book were precisely designated for the evening with the best of intentions and little wiggle room. On the morning of our study night, I received a call from our hostess informing me she had agreed for our women’s group to take on a service project for our church—that evening. There was no discussion or debating—she already committed our participation. Gulp.

This change in plans threw me for a loop.

How do I cut down those chapter studies to fit our shorter time period?

How do I accommodate providing “service” to our church without messing up our schedule for future chapter studies?

Should I cancel the study altogether for that evening and have our group just work on the project for the church?

Agggghhhhhh!

After weighing several options (and stewing) about my predicament for a bit, I did what I should have done to begin with. I tossed the situation up to my Lord and heard Him whisper to my spirit. “You need to let go of this. I want you to pivot.”

Surrendering my best-laid plans, I managed to solicit a batch of our women to arrive early to get a jump on the service project. The total number of women who showed up early were the total attendance for our group that night. We enjoyed fun conversation and lots of laughter while completing the project, which took much longer than we thought it would. When it came time to dive into our study, I ended up scrapping one of the chapters entirely, and guess what? That evening proved to be one of our most precious times together. We discussed freely. We shared vulnerably. We were impacted deeply. Not only did we serve our church by our willingness to help in a time of need, but God served each of us by blessing our time together in a powerful way.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

God teaches us to pivot.

Pivoting is a surrendering. It requires an intentional focus on God rather than self, allowing Him to guide us in a new direction. A pivot is not a detour, but a purposeful move toward a better path, aligned with God’s ultimate plan for us. Jesus fully understood the power in pivoting. He often set aside formed plans to meet the greater needs of others. He changed His plans without frustration or resentment. He pivoted to serve and minister to those around Him.

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Emergencies occur, plans change, people need help. Perhaps we are facing closed doors, or maybe we’re restless in our current state of being. God would have us set aside what is good so we may pursue what is better and not miss the bigger picture of His plan for us.

Some of the best things that happen in life will not be on our schedule.

And this is good.

Prayer: Lord, keep me aware of Your gentle nudges calling me to change course, and grant me the humility to listen and redirect my steps according to Your plan. Amen.

Have you done any pivoting in your circumstances lately which worked out better than you planned? Please leave a comment . . . I read every one!